I have been diving since 1995. Back then dive gear are pretty basic and limited. Nowadays, there are many choices you can get. Options for colors, weights and some very useful convenient features.

Back then we used to take a 6 hours boat ride to Tioman from Mersing. We would bring our own tanks and compressor from Mersing as there are not many dive center in Tioman yet. Living conditions in Tioman are the upmost basic. You’ll be lucky if you have a fan in your room. We would travel in the middle of the night on a small boat with tanks onboard and sleep under the stars. We just prays that the weather is calm and it doesn’t rain. All these are great experience that I cherish and learn. So for me, its essential that we have all the right gear you need for different conditions

In my dive career I have owned the following items (that I can remember):

>10 personal set of BCDs
>15 personal sets of regulators
>20 Sets of fins
>6 SMB reels
>8 Wetsuits and dive shorts
>5 masks and snorkels
>6 Dive bags
and many other little miscellaneous items

Now.. The Dive Gear List

Mask and Snorkel
WHY: This would be the most basic gear you need. Not only, it probably one of your cheapest investment, but its the also your most important. You don’t have to worry about someone else’s spit when you are using a rental mask. Furthermore, you will feel a lot comfortable with a personal mask.
Safety Accessories - SMB and reel, whistle, and compass
WHY: One word. SAFETY. As much that I realize that many divers would rather buy fins, BCD etc first, I think having a SMB and reel, whistle and compass is really important. There are dive sites like Komodo where having a SMB is a must because of the strong drift that you may experience while diving there. There are cases of people being drifted too far from the dive site that their boat can’t see them at all. Would also help if you have a surface whistle with you. If you have a bigger budget, you should get those air horn that attached to your power inflator.
Fins
WHY: One of the essential equipment you need to own yourself. Regards as basic set when you dive. Most dive center will asked whether you have your basic set (Mask, snorkel, Wetsuit and Fin) My blog will tell you more on how you can choose a right pair for fins for you kind of diving.
Dive Computers
WHY: This would probably one dive equipment that I wouldn’t dive without. Talking of having convenience in your hands. All the necessary dive information on display right next to you. All you have to do to is follow and not exceed it. Smaller compared to mask to other dive equipment makes it easy to travel with.
Wetsuit
WHY: Thankfully majority of the dive site around South East Asia is between 25-29 degrees. As most divers could get away with just a shorty, not me. I need at least a full 3mm wetsuit to dive even in 29 degrees waters. There are many option of wetsuit that you can opt for. My personal advise is versatility. As most of the waters here are warm, but there are some places that can get bit cold. Like for example Bali. The waters can get as cold as 15 degree in the Mola Mola season. So my preference is rather than buying a full 5mm or 7mm wetsuit just for Bali, I would buy a 3mm and add layers on top of it. You may want to get a hooded vest or something like that to add warmth. Don’t get those surf brand wetsuit like Billabong, Ripcurl etc. Those are not exactly meant for diving. The stitching and gluing are different. It won’t likely last you that long although it may look very cool to dive in.
Regulator
WHY: Probably one of your biggest investment in your list for diving equipment. For a start, regulators can last you a long time. I have mine which i owned 20 years ago. Still working fine. So i think you shouldn’t try to save a buy a cheap one on this. You could get a cheap Decathalon kind of regulators but for something that your life depends on for underwater, i would rather spend and buy something a bit more reliable. There are plenty of lightweight regulators like Apex Flight or Aqualung Mikron, but maybe i’m a little bit old school. rather have something that’s bit heavier knowing that it is sturdier and long lasting. I rather go for brands like Atomic, Apeks, Scubapro also knowing that when it comes to servicing and parts, its easily available. Like my old US Divers regulator. I can still get parts even after 20 years.
BCD
WHY: This would be the bulkiest item on your dive equipment set up. So if you which to travel a lot, i rather that you rent from the dive shop you be diving. But if you don’t mind it. i would go with a backplate BCD. It may be seem heavier than most jacket BCDs because of the metal plate on it, but it think because of lesser fabric on it makes it equivalent to weight compare to some of the jacket styled BCDs.
Bag to keep it all in
WHY: Lastly, you need to keep all you dive gear to transport. If you tend to fly, i advise is a roller type bag. Mesh bag are useful and more convenient for a Tioman type weekend dive trip. As for the difference of bag to buy, my important factor is lightweight. Do remember, most flights have a maximum weight allowance of 20kg. So plan where you want to save on weight.

here are things to consider about owning your gear:

Storage
Maintenance and Servicing
Regular usage

How to streamline you Gear:

There is a phrase that we use “all the gear, no idea”. In general, you only want to have what you need and what you might need in an emergency. Because I dive with dive shorts with pockets or some would call it Tech Shorts, I have more storage for my accessories. Dive shorts are an item to consider buying early on if you find that you have too many things dangling off of you and you want to streamline everything. This would be one of the best investment you need.

Other Equipment / Accessories:

Do I really need a pointer/noise maker?

A: A pointed would be very useful to have. Would likely prevent you from touching anything but i do see divers abusing is and using the pointed to touch on everything. You could use a pointed to bang on the tank to get attention and to hold on to a rock in strong drift dives.

Do I need spares of anything?

A: Some spares are useful. Batteries for your torches, mask straps, fins straps and probably tank o rings. Usually dive operator have spare mask, fins etc. but if you don’t want to end up using rental equipment, you many want to bring some spare kits.

Do I really need a knife?

A: Personally do do not carry a knife. A small scissor like cutter would be a lot efficient to cut lines or ropes. Also having a large knife would probably he a hassle going through customs.

When should I buy a reef hook?

A: Yes. You never know when you need them. Strong drift dive site like Komodo or Palau, you’ll likely need to have a reef hook. You are not allowed to hold on to the coral or rock to stay still while looking at the sharks or Manta so having a reef hook is useful to have our hands free to take pictures in a drift dive.

Do I need a slate and pencil?

A: I think this would be good if you are teaching or diving a “new” buddy and when your hand signals are not discussed. So having a slate is good to just write and make sure your buddy understands what you are trying to say to each other.